Forming system for concrete floor and roof decks

ABSTRACT

A forming system for concrete floor and roof decks is provided having all parts standardized, separable and reuseable, including shoring, displacement domes or flat panels and half cradle and side panels, all constructed and related to enable quick virtually tool-free erection as well as removal for reuse. The displacement domes or flat panel forms are readily removable before the shoring if desired to reduce the between-use intervals. Convenient latch lock connections are provided for rapid erection and dismantling of components.

Kane et a1.

- [4 1 Apr. 30, 1974 FORMING SYSTEM FOR CONCRETE FLOOR, AND ROOF DECKS[75] Inventors: Allen G. Kane; Gerard M. Becher,

both of San Antonio, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Steven D. Kane, Dallas, Tex. a part interest [22] Filed:Dec. 30, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 214,354

[52] US. Cl 249/29, 249/32, 249/176, 249/177, 249/212 [51] Int. Cl. E04g11/40 [58] Field of Search 249/28, 29, 31, 32, 13, 249/18, 189, 194,212, 30, 175-178 [56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,314,6384/1967 Morrison 249/29 3,533,592 10/1970 Jennings 249/18 3,234,6202/1966 Short 249/18 X 3,292,891 12/1966 Williams 249/29 X 1,913,0706/1933 Copestake 249/212 1,445,256 2/1923 White 249/212 3,647,173 3/1972Pipala 249/18 X 3,409,266 11/1968 Jennings 249/18 3,130,470 4/1964Bowden et al.. 249/28 X 3,148,434 9/1964 Gage et a1 249/185 X FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 507,918 6/1955 ltaly 249/28 1,803,626 6/1970Germany 249/18 Primary Examiner-Robert D. Baldwin Assistant ExaminerlohnMcQuadc Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & Simpson[5 7] ABSTRACT A forming system for concrete floor and roof decks isprovided having all parts standardized, separable and reuseable,including shoring, displacement domes or flat panels and half cradle andside panels, all constructed and related to enable quick virtuallytool-free erection as well as removal for reuse. The displacement domesor flat panel forms are readily removable before the shoring if desiredto reduce the betweenuse intervals. Convenient latch lock connectionsare provided for rapid erection and dismantling of components.

35 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPRBO m 3L807L681 4 SHtEI 1 BF 9PATENTEB APR 3 0 ISM SHLEI 7 [IF 9 NI MN PATENTEDAPR so 1914 3; 807L681v WEI 8 Elf 9 FORMING SYSTEM FOR CONCRETE FLOOR AND 1 ROOF DECKS Thisinvention relates to improvements in the making of poured concretestructures, and is more particularly concerned with a new and improvedformingsystem for concrete floor and roof decks in buildingconstruction.

I-Ieretofore it has been common practice to erect by carpentrytechniques shoring and forms for poured concrete floor and roof decks,necessitating use of a large amount of lumber which is generallydiscarded when the shoring and forms are torn down. This has been acostly and wasteful procedure both in materials and manpower. Even wheredisplacement forms of the reuseable metal pan type have been employed,the shoring has generally consisted of lumber erected by the usualcarpentry practices.

While attempts have been made to replace at least part of the lumberstructure by reuseable members, we are not aware of any other systemswhich are not objectionable for one or more reasons such as dependinglargely on members that must be nailed or secured by screw typefasteners, special tools, limited utility, excessive cost not only ofequipment but in labor, lack of interchangeability of parts, etc.

An important object of the present invention is to overcome theforegoing and other disadvantages, defects, inefficiencies, shortcomingsand problems in prior methods and structures and to attain importantadvantages and improvements in and with the new framing system forconcrete floors and roofs as will hereinafter become apparent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved systemof the character indicated which will greatly facilitate theerection ofpoured concrete building structures.

A further object of the invention is to provide anew and improvedforming system for concrete floors and roof decks and which can bequickly erected or dismantled largely without the use of tools and wheretools are needed enabling the use of the simplest conventional tools. I

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedforming system of the-characterzindicated including novel framing means.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedforming system comprising'novel form means.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedforming system including novel latch lock means for separablyconnectable parts.

A -yet further object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedforming system of the character indicated which is highly versatile tomeet numerous and varied dimensional and attitude requirements, withbuilt-in adjustment features in the assembly of separable, reuseablecomponents.

An additional object-of the invention is to provide a new and improvedforming system for efficient, economical, rapid, accurate, high'qualityconcrete floor and roof deck constructions.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent from the following description of certain preferred embodimentsthereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, althoughvariations and modifications may be effected without departing from thespirit and scope of the novel concepts embodied in the disclosure, andin which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric illustration ofa system embodyingfeatures of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the system of FIG. 1 includingheight extension and floor level jack means;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the half cradlestructure;

FIG. 4 is a back elevational view of the half cradle structure;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged representative fragmentary sectional view showingdetails of one of the latch lock connections severally employed in thesystem;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary illustrative elevational view showing one of theform supports;

FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view showing one of the shore columnsand soffit cross means for support on the head end of the column;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a representative cross braceassembly;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a representative soffit and supporttherefor;

FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view of an adjustable plate soffitassembly;

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional detail view of the adjustable platesoffit in assembly with its supporting structure;

FIG. 12 is an illustrative elevational view demonstrating an adaptationof the system for canted deck.construction;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional plan view showing an internal orre-entrant corner half cradle connection;

FIG. '14 is a fragmentary sectional plan view showing an external cornerhalf cradle assembly connection;

FIG. 15 is a sectional planview showing'details of half cradle panelconnecting means;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary elevational view of a shore head tilt assembly;

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of the tilt assembly looking toward theright in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of a modified displacement domeconstruction;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view exemplifying use of at least aportion ofthe dome structure of FIG. 18 in an inverted relation to form a ribbedfloor base;

FIG. 20 is an enlargedfrag'mentary sectional elevational detail viewtaken substantially along the line XX-XX of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially onthe line XXIXXI of FIG. 18; and

FIG. 22, is an enlarged fragmentary sectional plan view takensubstantially along the line XXII-'-XXII of FIG. 18.. v

According to the present invention, a forming system is provided forconcrete floor and roof deck construction, according to one embodimentof which a reuseable shore assembly is erected on which reuseablesoffits and form members such as generally waffle pattern displacementdomes are assembled and supported to complete a deck support on which aconcrete slab is poured. After the concrete of the slab has set, theform members may be removedtherefrom downwardly relative to the soffitsfor reuse, and after the concrete slab has cured sufficiently to be effciently self-sustaining, the shore assembly is removable for reuse.Standardized components are provided which are connectable by means ofhook-on and latch lock connections. According to another embodiment thedisplacement domes 12 may be utilized in an inverted generally waf-- flepattern to provide a cross-ribbed concrete floor base.

In a representative form, the system includes (FIGS. 1 and 2) supportingmeans including vertical posts or shores on which are supported formmembers which may be, as shown, displacement domes 21 of any desiredconfiguration such as rectangular in plan but which may be triangular orother geometric configuration, and provided with suitably tapering sides22 providing draft to facilitate withdrawal from a set poured concretedeck such as a floor or roof in the bottom of which the domes effect agenerally waffle pattern of load-reducing recesses. Between the recessesribs are provided in the underside of the deck between the adjacentforming domes 21 and on top of soffits 23 and soffit crosses 24supported by the shores 20 between and complementary to the walls 22.Where a substantially uniform thickness slab is desired in the deck,flat panels may be substituted for the domes 21. For molding of a rim,perimeter ledge, eaves overhang, or the like as may be architecturallyrequired, half cradles 25 are carried by the shores 20. All of thesecomponents of the system are separably assembled in a manner enablingquick erection and dismantling for reuse, and the various parts areinterchangeably standardized.

Means are provided for'detachably connecting the displacement domes 21to the shores 20, preferably vertically adjustable to enable varying theheight to which the domes project above the soffits 23 to accommodatearchitectural requirements for depth of displacement recesses. To thisend each of the domes 21 carries on bottom frame structure 27 thereof(FIGS. 1 and 6) and extending inwardly from each corner an arm 28,attached thereto as by means ofa bolted clamp 29, of a generally L-shapebar having a depending leg 30 received in a vertical sleeve 31 fixedlycarried by a vertical attachment bracket bar 32 which is adapted to beremovably received by one of the shores 20. Removable connection withthe shore is desirably effected by means of similar, complementarydownwardly facing hooks 33 and 34 at respectively the upper and lowerend portions of the hanger bar and retainingly engageable withrespective upper and lower coupling collars 35 and 37 fixedly carried onthe shore 20. Each of the shores 20 being metal such as steel, thecollars 35 may also be of similar metal and of a ring-shape larger indiameter than the shore 20 on which mounted to provide a groove forreceiving the downturned terminals of the hooks 33 and 34, each of thecollars being secured as by welding to its shore through an annularspacer rib 38 which'is located intermediate the ends of the collar toprovide substantially equal groove space above and below the rib. Byhaving the collars 35 and 37 substantially spaced longitudinally alongthe shore 20 great stability is attained when the complementally spacedhooks 33 and 34 are engaged with the collars. For maintaining the domein any preferred vertical position of adjustment, the leg 30 and thesleeve 31 are desirably provided with matching transverse pin holes 39and 40, respectively, into which a pin such as a bolt or other type ofpin 41 is adapted to be engaged, extending through respective alignedones of the holes 39 and at the desired vertical or elevationaladjustment.

Means are provided for firmly maintaining the shores 20 in desiredspaced relation to one another. To this end, respective upper and lowerhorizontal connecting brace assemblies are constructed and arranged tobe connected releaseably to and between the collars 35 and 37 which arefixed in uniform, standardized relation on all of the shores. The upperhorizontal brace 42 (FIGS. 2 and 9) comprises a longitudinallyadjustable bar of desirably at least two telescopically joined andrelatively longitudinally adjustably related bar sections 44 and 45wherein the section 44 at least is tubular to receive the section 45,which may be either tubular or solid, telescopically through one end.Suitable means for locking the sections 44 and 45 in longitudinallyadjusted relation desirably comprise a locking pin 47 which may be abolt, but is shown as of generally L- shape with an angular handle atone end and with the shank dimensioned to extend slidably into andthrough registering ones of respective series of adjustment pin holes 48and 49 in respectively the section 44 and 45 transversely in thetelescopically related portions of the bar sections. Desirably, the barsections are formed of square or at least rectangular transverse crosssection, whereby the series of pin holes in the bar sections will remainin longitudinal alignment.

Each of the lower horizontal brace bars 43 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 8) comprisesan assembly of telescopically related, longitudinally adjustablesections in an at least two section arrangement as described for thebrace bar 42, but shown as of greater versatility and adapted to besubstituted where desirable for the brace bar 42, as comprising threerelatively telescopically related bar sections 50, 51 and 52. ln thisinstance the bar section 50, at least, is of tubular transverse crosssection with the sections 51 and 52 telescopically received withinrespective opposite ends of the section 50. All of the bar sections 50,51 and 52 are desirably of quadrangular cross section, with spacedlongitudinal series of locking pin holes 53 in the respective oppositeend portions of the section adapted to register with selective ones ofmatching pin holes 54 in the bar sections 51 and 52, with looking pins55 of any suitable form such as bolts or otherwise headed andmanipulatable pins arranged to extend through the registering pin holesto lock the bar sections in longitudinal adjusted alignment.

At each opposite end of each of the bar assemblies 42 and 43 is provideda respective attachment and locking clamp 57 by which the bar isarranged to be detachably secured to the selected attachment collar 35or 37, as the case may be. All of the clamps 57 are desirablyconstructed identically and therefore a detailed description of one willapply to all. Reference is therefore invited to FIG. 5 which discloses atypical one of the clamps 57. In a desirable arrangement, the clamp 57comprises a pair of separable jaws comprising, as shown, a lower jaw 58and an upper jaw 59. Each of these jaws is preferably in the form of aplate having on one edge a pair of transversely coextensive finger lugs60 projecting from the plane of the jaw body and in assembly extendingtoward one another on the coextensively aligned ends of the jaws wherebyto enable retaining engagement with the inner margins of the collar 35or 37 against which the jaws 58 and 59 are adapted to be clamped. Inthis instance, the lower jaw 58 is fixedly secured, as by means ofwelding 61 to the underside of an end portion of the associated bar 42or 43 and to extend sufficiently beyond the end of the bar toaccommodate the attachment collar between the finger lugs 60 and the barend.

To enable ready opening. and closing of the clamp 57 and to facilitatemovement of the clamp into or out of association with the selectedattachment collar, the upper jaw plate member 59 is mounted movably onmanipulating means including a vertical rod 62 to the upper end portionof which this jaw is secured as by means of welding 63 and which extendsdownwardly from the upper jaw through a clearance aperture 64 in theassociated brace bar and through an aligned bearing hole 65 in the lowerjaw plate 58. At its lower end portion, the rod extends substantiallybelow the lower jaw and has a downwardly opening bifurcation slot 66within which is pivotally attached as by means ofa horizontallyextending pivot pin 67 a flat head end portion 68 (wider than thebearing hole 65) of a manipulating handle 69. The arrangement is suchthat when the handle 69 is in the horizontal position shown in FIG. 5biasing means in the form of a coiled compression spring 70 mountedabout the rod 62 and thrusting at its respective opposite ends againstthe jaw members 58 and 59 causes the upper jaw member 59 to be raisedinto open clamp relation relative to the lower jaw member and to asufficient-height to clear the retaining finger lugs 60 above the upperedge of the associated collar. This facilitates placement of the clamps57 in engaging relation to or removal from the collars 35, 37 inmounting of the respective braces 42 or 43 by swinging of the upper jaw59 between collar-engaging and clearing relation by turning the rod 62in its bearing 65 by manipulation of the handle 69, exemplified at theright in H0. 11 but for illustrative purposes showing it in closedposition. In mounting of the bars 42 and 43, the open upper jaws 59 ofthe clamps 57 at their opposite ends are turned to extend in a directiontransverse to the associated bar and lower jaw 58 whereby the lower jawof each clamp can be freely moved upwardly into engagement with thelower edge of the selected attachment collar. Then the upperjaw 59 isswung into its coacting relation to the lower jaw 58 with the lugs 60 ofthe upperjaw in position to engage with the upper edge portion of theassociated collar. Latching of the clamp 57 onto the associatedcollar isadapted to be effected by moving the handle 69 downwardly from itshorizontal position to turn the head 68 about the pivot 67 and therebythrust a cam terminal 68a on the head against the opposing surface ofthe jaw 58 to pull the rod 62 downwardly in opposition to bias ,of thespring 70 whereby the upper-jaw 59 is drawn into clamping engagementwith the collar. Dimensions of the parts is 1 such that when the handle69 is moved into vertical position the jaws 58 and 59 are in tightclamping engagement with the interposed collar and there is substantialfrictional resistance to unintentional displacement of the handle 69,and more particularly the head 68 from the latching position.

While reasonably accurate spacing adjustments of the brace bars 42 and43 can be effected by the locking pin system described, additional meansare desirably provided to attain a tight adjustment and preventundesirable looseness in the clamp and collar connections. To this end,each of the brace bars has on one end thereof a fixed threaded barextension 71 (FIGS. 1, 2, 8 and 9) on which is threadedly adjustablyengaged a clamp-carrying block 72. Through this arrangement by turningthe block 72 on the extension 71 the overall length of the associatedbar is adapted to be lengthened or shortened by substantially micrometerincrements. in effecting this the handle-69 of the associated clamp maybe employed for turning the block 72. The desired adjustment can then belocked as by means of locknuts 73 threadedly engaged on the extension 71and drawn up tight against the adjacent end of the block 72.

Construction of the soffits 23 is such that they are adapted to bemounted on the upper brace bars 42 and thereby readily installable andremovable in the system. For this purpose, each of the soffits 23 isdesirably provided with means for attaching it to one of the brace bars42, preferably in a manner to enable ready replacement of the soffit forany of various reasons such as if it becomes damaged, if a soffit ofdifferent size or configuration is needed, and the like. Representativeof such means are depending bolts 74 (FIGS. 2 and 9) secured throughclamping plate means 75 underlying the brace bar and fastened as bymeans of nuts 77. As shown, the bolts 74 extend through the brace bar,but if preferred they may comprise a pair of the bolts straddling thebrace bar. Since for practical operational reasons the upper attachmentcollars 35 must be spaced a limited distance below the tops of theshores 20, and the soffits 23 must cooperate uniformly with the soffitcrosses 24 which are mounted on the upper ends of the shores, spacermeans are provided in the form of brackets such as blocks 78 under thesoffit units 23 to rest on the brace bar 42 and clamped thereagainst bythe bolts 74 in cooperation with the clamping plates 75. To accommodatevariations in top plane of the brace bar due to different sizes of barsection, shim plates 79 may be interposed between the ends of thebrackets 78 and the associated bar section where necessary. In order toenable ready mounting and dismantling of the soffits 23 relative to thesoffit crosses 24, the ends of the soffits 23 are obliquely angledupwardly and inwardly as shown, enabling upward placement and downwardremoval relative to complementary beveled ends on the soffit crosses asis apparent in FIGS. 1 and 2. For uniform snug contact with the taperedside walls 22 of the displacement domes 21, the side surfaces of thesoffits 23 are formed on complementary taper. Each of the soffits 23 maybe formed as a unitary bar or as a builtup bar section, as may bepreferred.

Since due to the taper of the displacement dome sides 22 differentarchitecturally required elevations of the displacement domes willrequire different widthsof soffit bars to fill the between-dome valleyroot areas, with the bar type of soffits 23 this means that sets ofsoffits of the required widths must be provided. Therefore, readilyadjustable soffits 80 as represented in FIGS. 10 and 11 may bepreferred. To this end the soffit structure 80 comprises an assembly oflongitudinally coextensive plates comprising a bottom plate 81, anintermediate plate 82 and a top clamping plate 83. For securing theplates together in adjustable relation as to width of the assembly, theclamping plate is provided with a set of longitudinally spaced dependingstuds 84 arranged -to extend downwardly through respective complementarytransverse matching adjustment slots 85 and 87 in respectively theplates 82 and 81 such that by means of nuts 88 run up on the studs 84the plates can be'clamped together in any preferred relative widthadjustment and with the upper imperforate clamping plate 83 effectivelyclosing the slots 85 and 87 therebelow against poured concrete leakage.Along their outer edges, the soffit plates 81 and 82 are provided withrespective upstanding outwardly tapering dome sidewall engaging flanges89 which are on the same taper angle as the dome sidewalls.

Means for attaching the adjustable plate soffit 80 to its associatedbrace bar 42 comprise a suitable set of supporting brackets 90 which maybe in the form of blocks, but are preferably, as shown, one-piece shapedsheet metal members. Each of the brackets 90 comprises a supporting head91 provided with a stud hole 92 through which one of the studs 84extends and thereby enables clamping of the head 91 to the underside ofthe lower soffit plate 81 by means of the nut 88. For attaching thebracket 90 to the brace bar, a pair of downwardly extending attachmentlegs 93 from the respective opposite sides of the head 91 are spacedapart to receive the brace bar therebetween and adapted to be clampedthereagainst as by means of bolts 94, there being one of the bolts aboveand another of the bolts below the brace bar to assure firm attachmentagainst displacement of the bracket 90 in any direction relative to thebrace bar.

Construction of the soffit crosses 24 is such as to cooperateefficiently with the respective ends of the soffits 23 or 80, as thecase may be, and the corner portions of the associted displacement domes22. To this end, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the soffit crosses 24are provided with a plurality of arms 95 which radiate from the body ofthe cross unit, the ends of the arms being tapered downwardly andinwardly for cooperation with corresponding complementary ends of thesoffit bars, and the sides of the arms being tapered complementary tothe dome wall taper. There may be as many of the arms 95 as required forthe particular location in the system in which the soffit cross is to beused. Where a four soffit joint connection is to be provided by thesoffit cross, then four radiating arms will be provided as shown inFIGS. 1 and 7. Where a three soffit bar joint is to be accommodated suchas at an intermediate point along a side edgeof the system, a three armsoffit cross will be provided as shown at the left in FIG. 1. At anoutside corner of the system only two arms may be needed. More than fourarms may be provided if necessary. Architectural requirements can thusbe readily met by providing soffit cross modules of any multiple orrelative radialarm disposition necessary.

Mounting of the soffit crosses 24 on the tops of the shores 20 isdesirably in a manner to enable quick mounting and disassembly orreplacement. To this end, each of the soffit crosses is provided with afixed depending attachment pin 97.receptive in a complementary upwardlyopening socket 98 in the top of the associated shore 20. In onepractical form, theattachment pin 97 may be a fixed depending projectionfrom a mounting plate 99 adapted to be secured to the underside of thesoffit cross body as by means of flat head bolts 100 extending throughrespective aligned holes 101 and 102 in the soffit cross and the plate.Through this arrangement, mounting of the soffit'cross 24 on the shore20 is readily effected by inserting the pin 97 into the socket 98. Thisarrangement enables efficient adjustable accommodation of the soffitcross gravitationally with the associated displacement domes and withthe respective ends of the soffit bars connected therewith.

. Mounting of the half cradles 25 is also adapted to be effected on theshores 20 along the outer edges of the system by readily detachablemounting on the collars 35 and 37. For this purpose. the half cradlescomprise a frame and panel assembly comprising a supporting frame module103 removably attached to each of the outer edge or boundary shores 20and a panel 104 supported by and between the respective half cradlesupporting frames (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4). Each of the frames 103comprises a horizontal frame bar 105 having mounted on its inner end oneof the clamp assemblies 57 by which it is detachably connectable to theupper collar 35 of the associated shore. For connecting the frame 103 tothe lower attachment collar 37, a diagonal brace bar 107 extends fromanintermediate portion of the bar 105 and is connected at its lower endto an integral rib 108 on a half round thrust pad which bears againstthe shore and has its lower end engaged in the upwardly opening grooveprovided by the lower collar 37 (FIG. 3), there being a take-up lugextension 110 on the lower end of the rib 108 to engage with the rim ofthe collar. By having the bar 107 pivotally connected to the rib 108 asby means of a bolt 111, assembly of the frame 103 is greatly facilitatedbecause the pad or shoe 109 can be assembled with the collar 37 by aninward and downward sliding movement toward the shore and collar andthen the upper portion of the frame swung in toward the shore and theclamp 57 on the bar 105 secured to the collar 35. Firm support of theframe 103 on the shoe 20 is thus effected.

For supporting the panel 104, an upwardly extending frame bar 112 issupported by the inner end portion of the base bar 105, being connectedthereto by means enabling ready adjustment inwardly and outwardlyrelative to the associated forming structure to accommodatearchitecturalrequirements for widths of the marginal portion of the slabto be formed on the forming system. Desirable means for this purposecomprise an outwardly extending connector 113 having an inner end pivot114 to which the lower end portion of the bar 112 is attached andprovided on its inner end with a downwardly extending clevis 115straddling the bar 105 and arranged to be lockingly attached thereto asby means of a pinor bolt 117 engaged through any selected one ofaplurality of longitudinally spaced adjustment holes 118 extendingtransversely through the bar 105. To facilitate support and adjustmentof the connector 113, a longitudinal bearing plate 119 may be providedon the upper face of the bar 105 underlying the connector. Forsubstantially micrometer accuracy of adjustment of the lower end of thebar 112, the connector 113 is desirably provided with adjustment screwmeans 119a on the order of a turnbuckle or the like. To support theframe bar 112 upright and in any preferred adjusted angular positionfrom vertical to slanting angle as indicated by comparison of the fullline position and the several dash line positions in FIG. 3, alongitudinally adjustable diagonal strut 120 connects the upper end ofthe bar 1 12 and the outer end portion of the base bar 105. Forlongitudinal adjustment throughout a substantial range, the strut 120 ispreferably constructed of a plurality of telescopically related sectionscomprising a tubular lower section 121 having its lower end pivotallyconnected as by means of a pin or bolt 122 to the bar 105 andtelescopically receiving within its upper end an intermediate tubularbar section 123 which in turn telescopically receives in its upper endan upper bar section 124. Each of the bar sections has a longitudinalseries of transverse pin or bolt holes 125 enabling numerous incrementallongitudinal adjustments in length of the bar sections, with pins orconnecting bolts 127 securing 'the respective end portions of thetelescopically related bar sections together in any desired relationshipof adjustment. Additional range of adjustment is afforded by having thebar 105 provided with a longitudinally spaced series of transverse pinholes 128 for receiving the connecting pin 122. At its upper end the barsection 124 is provided with means for connecting it pivotally to theupper end of the bar 112 in a manner to enable fine, substantiallymicrometer final adjustment in the angularity of the bar 112, and thusof the supported panel 104 relative to the horizontal. Such meansdesirably comprise a turnbuckle-like screw adjustment assembly 129secured at one end to the upper end of the truss bar section 124 andhaving an attachment head 130 pivotally secured as by means of a bolt131 to the upper end of the bar 112.

Attachment of the panel 104 to and between adjacent ones of the framebars 112 is desirably effected ina manner to enable quick and easyassembly and disassembly of the components. For this purpose the framebar 112 in each instance is desirably of angular cross section providinga pair of spaced outwardly projecting longitudinal flanges 132 (FIGS. 4and and the panel 104 has a frame 133 providing outwardly projectingflanges 134 matching the flanges 132 and adapted to be aligned inface-to-face coextensive relation therewith in assembly. To facilitateassembly, the bars 112 are provided with face plates 135 which have therespective side margins projecting a limited distance beyond the widthof the bar l12t0 provide seats at their outwardly or rearwardly facingsurfaces receptive of the frame bars 133 whichhave seating areas thereofoffset relative to the adjacent side edges of the'pane l 104 in eachinstance for this purpose, as best seen in FIG. 15. i

Readily manipulatable locking and latch means are provided for securingthe frame flanges 132 and 134 in assembly, desirably comprising lockingbolts 137 rotatably and axiallyshiftablysupported by respective'bearingbrackets 138 and the associated frame flange 134 and lockinglyprojectable through respective keeper holes 139 in the flanges 132. Asshown, two of the locking bolts 137 are provided in vertically spacedrelation on each of the side frame'bars of the panel assembly. Each ofthe bolts 137 has on its inner end portion a laterally extendingmanipulating handle 140 by which the .bolt can be manipulated bothrotatably and longitudinally in its bearings. Means for retention of thebolt 137 in each instance against being inadvertently withdrawn from itsbearings, and also providing a latch are provided on the locking endportion of the bolt between the bearings 138 and the flange 134. Thiscomprises a rigidly attached latch arm'141 having a latch hook 142 whichis adapted'to be engaged over and about the flanges 132 and 134 when thebolt 137 has been thrown into locking relation through these flanges.Movement of the latching hook head 142 between latching and releasingpositions is readily effected by turning the bolt 137 about its axisthrough manipulation of the handle To accommodate joining of theadjacent sides of respective panels 104 located at an inside orre-entrant corner of the system,'a modification of the half cradle framebar 112 as shown in FIG. 13 may be employed, wherein this frame bar hasthe body thereof provided with outside angularly related portions andthe facing plate is similarly angularly constructed. Other parts of theassembly will be the same as in the arrangement as already described andidentical reference numerals have therefore been applied.

To accommodate outside corner assembly of the half cradle panels 104,the arrangement shown in FIG. 14 may be employed, wherein the frame bar112" has a re-entrant angular body form. For this purpose the facingplate 135" will have'a similar re-entrant angular body form. All otherelements on the combination may be the same as previously described andidentical reference numerals have been applied thereto.

Means are provided for setting the apparatus of thesystem carried by theshores 20 level on a supporting surface. To this end, individuallyadjustable levelling jacks 143 (FIG. 2) are provided. Each of the jackscomprises a base or foot pad 144 supporting a nonrotatable verticalscrew .145 on which is threadedly mounted a capstan-like adjustmentcollar 147 provided with manipulating means such as radially extendinghandles 148. On its upper portion, the member 147 is of reduced diameterwhereby to provide an upwardly projecting centering stem 149 about anupwardly facing annular bearing shoulder 150 to receive the lower end ofa tubular thrust extension member 151 into which the upper end portionof the screw 145 and the stem extension 149 extend. Preferably themember 151 is held against turning relative to the screw 145 by meanscomprising a stud 152 projecting radially from the portion of the screwwithin this member and into avertical guide slot 153. Spaced a limitedhead projection distance below the upper end of the member 151 isfixedly mounted one of the attachment collars 37, whereby the levellingjacks for the several shores are adapted to be secured instable'accurately spaced relation by means of respective horizontalbrace members 43 in the same fashion as the lower end portions of theshores 20.

' For standardization purposes, the shores 20and the levelling jackassemblies 143are provided in uniform lengths substantially shorter thanwill normally be required for ceiling heightsas may be architecturallyspecified, to enable accommodation for the particular specified heighton any construction site by simply providing intermediate shoreextensions 154. These may be simply pieces of tubular stock identicalwith the tubular stock from which the shores 20 are made, and from whichthe jack extension members 151 may be made, for uniformity ofcompression load support. For connecting the lower ends of the shoreextensions 154 I to the respective jack assemblies, a generally bellvented.

socket 155 is provided on the lower end of each member 154 dimensionedto receive in telescopic supporting relation the head end portion of thejack extension 151. At its head end, the shore extension 154 isdesirably of unaltered diameter and is received in supporting relationwithin a downwardly opening suitably enlarged bell socket 157 on thelower, foot end of the associated shore 20. Through this arrangement,the shores 20, the extensions 154 and the jack members 151 in effectprovide'a continuous solid shore column which is adjustable as to lengthwithin a wide range by interchangeability of the shore extensions 154 tosuit requirements.

To meet architectural specifications for slanting or pitched roof deckslabs, means are provided enabling erection of the shores 20 in a mannerto support the domes, soffits and half cradles in the required tiltedattitude. To this end, respective, standardized tilt connection devices158 (FIGS. 12, 16 and 17) are provided to enable suitable angularity inthe shoring assemblies relative to a generally horizontal supportingbase. Each of the assemblies 158 includes a cylindrical head portion 159dimensioned to be received in the bell socket at the lower end of one ofthe head shores 20. This head portion is connected by tiltable meanscomprising a plate 160 to a lower portion 161 having a lower end bellsocket 162 for telescopic assembled reception of the head end of one ofthe shore extensions 154. In a desirable construction, the tilt plate160 is of generally segmental shape having its apical end portionpivotally secured as by means of a pin bolt 163 near the lower end of anupwardly opening diametrical slot 164 in the body portion 161. Forattachment to the head portion 159, the tilt plate 160 has at least aportion, in this instance an extension 165 of suitable width projectingabove the end of the body portion 161 to project into a diametricaldownwardly opening slot 167 in the head portion 159 and supporting theopposed ends of the portions 159 and 161 sufficiently spaced to enable adesirable range of relative tilting adjustment by suitable rocking ofthe tilt plate about the pivot 163. Securement of the tilt plateextension 165 in the slot 167 is effected as by means of a plurality ofbolts 168. To maintain any desired tilt adjustment within a substantialrange, the tile plate 160 is provided with a series of arcuatelyarranged spaced locking pin holes 169, desirably in a plurality, hereintwo staggered rows on a radius of the pivot 163 and spaced therefrom toreceive a locking pin or bolt 170 extended through either of a pair oflongitudinally spaced matching locking pin holes 171 extending throughthe body portion 161 and with one of which one of the pin holes 169 willregister in any of the incremental tilt adjustments of the plate 160 andthus of the head portion 159 relative to the body portion 161. 1

To accommodate any particular tilt adjustment over a substantial span,involving a plurality of the head shores 20, graduated lengths of theintermediate shore extensions 154 are provided, and intermediate lengths154a and a minimum or short length 154b being identified in FIG. 12. Itwill be understood that these graduated lengths for the intermediateshore members may be suitably graduated to accommodate a relatively longor wide roof span and that there will be as many graduated lengths asnecessary for the particular building project under construction.

In order to stabilize and prevent any undesirable sway in the forming.assembly where the tilted arrangement of FIG. 12 is employed, diagonallyarranged brace struts 172 are desirably provided of suitably graduatedlengths and comprisingstraight bars which are suitably connected as bymeans of respective screws or bolts 173 to and between the opposite endportions of the soffit-supporting transverse brace bars 42 and lowertransverse brace bars 43 which may, for this purpose, be attached toattachment collars 37 mounted on the intermediate shore extensions 154,154a and 15417 adjacent to the sockets thereof.

Although the displacement domes 21 will be most generally used in theforming of a waffle pattern of displacement cavities in the lower faceof a poured concrete deck, those domes are adapted also foradvantageously forming a grid ribbed floor base wherein the domes aremounted in inverted relation in a manner to enable forming of ribs withupwardly opening voids therebetween. For this purpose, of course, theshore structure will not be needed. However, suitable means for properlyspacing the domes one from the other to determine formed rib width willbe desirable.

In FIGS. 18 and 19 isdepicted a form of dome 175 which is especiallywell adapted for either upright or inverted use and which, in addition,has adaptability for readily varying the height of the domes over andabove the height variability provided for through the shoresupportedvertically adjustable arm devices. Further, it may be preferred toeliminate the arm devices for some reason and thus to have the domesthemselves adjustable as to height. In a practical construction to thisend, each of the domes 175 is constructed in a plurality of sectionswhich may be as many as preferred and of any preferred gradation as toheight, but as shown comprises a lower section 177 and an upper section178 as well as a top closure 179. In the illustrated instance, the domesections 177 and 178 are shown as of equal height, and the top 179 as ofonly fractionally the height of the dome sections. The dome sections 177and 178 and the top 179 are separable and may be employed independentlyof one another. In regular upstanding dome arrangement, the upper domesection 178 and the top 179 may be used together but separate from thelower dome section 177. On the other hand, either of the dome sections177 or 178 may be used independently of one another and of the top 179for inverted forming of floor rib structure. For very shallowdisplacements, the top 179 may be utilized as a displacement dome.

Each section of the dome 175 is adapted to be constructed from sheetmetal, and for compactness in shipment and storage, at least the domesections 177 and 178 are adapted to be constructed in a manner-to enablethe walls to be separably assembled. To this end, the dome section 177comprises an assembly ofsimilar side wall panels 180 formed fromsuitable gauge sheet metal and desirably provided with reinforcing ribs181 extending in parallel spaced relation in the major dimension of thepanel, in this instance in the horizontal direction. At its bottom edge,each of the panels 180 has an inturned reinforcing base flange 182.Along the upper edge of the panel is a similar inturned reinforcing headflange 183. At one end each of the panels 180 has means for cooperativeinterengagement with the companion panel, comprising an angularly turnedflange 184 at one end extending between the flanges 182 and 183, whilethe opposite end has a flange 185 inset to accommodate the thickness ofthe flange 184 and lapingly engaged therewithin in assembly as best seenin FIG. 21, being provided with an angled reinforcing flange 187.Through this arrangement, the panels 180 are adapted to be assembled attheir ends in angular relation, and separable means are provided forretaining the wall panels assembled, desirably comprising connecting andcorner brace bars 188 in the form of rods adapted to extend diagonallybetween the angularly renecting braces free from the sockets.Construction ofthe upper dome section is preferably identical with thelower dome section except that the wall panels are properly dimensionedto conform to the desired taper of the overall dome assembly whenassembled with the lower dome section 177. Description of the elementsof the upper dome section will be understood to be consistent with thedescription of the elements of the lower dome section and identical orprimed reference numerals indicate similarity.

In a preferred construction, the relatively shallowdome top 179comprises a formed sheet metal inverted pan-like structure, providedwith an inturned marginal seating flange 191. In assembly, the flange191 seats in complementary coextensive relation upon the top flange 183.v 1

Means are provided for connecting the sections 177' and 178 and the dometop 179 together, preferably in a manner to enable quick fastening andrelease. To this end, bolt-latch assemblies 192 are provided which maybe on the order of those by which the half cradle panels 104 are securedto the frame units 103. Each of the bolt-latches 192 comprises a bolt193 journalled through'a generally U-shaped bracket 194 which is securedas by meansof welding to the inner face of the wall of the respectivedome section 177 and 178 contiguous to the top flange 183, 183' thereof.For locking the dome assembly components together, the bolt 193 is of alength to project through aligned bolt holes 195 (FIG. 22) inthe flange183 or 183', as the casemay be and the superimposed seating flange 182'or 191, respectively, with manipulating means such as a bolt head 197engaging against the lower flange of the bracket 194. For latching thebolt against unintentional withdrawal; a generally U-shaped latching jaw198 is mounted on a radial arm 199 fixedly secured to the bolt on theportion thereof extending between the spaced flanges of the bracket 194and at such a position that when the bolt is fully lockingly engagedthrough the superimposed flanges of the dome members, the arm 199 willslidably engage the inner face of the upper flange of the bracket as agauge and when the bolt is then turned by manipulation of the head 197the arm 199 will be swung to drive the latch jaw 198 into reasonablyfirm clampingly latching engagement with the lappingly seated flanges ofthe dome members. To release the bolt 193, it is turned in reverse bymanipulation of the head 197 to swing the arm 199 inwardly and releasebracket 194, wherein the upper end of the bolt is nevertheless retainedwithin its bearing relation to the bearing bracket, as demonstrated inthe dash outline position at the upper left in FIG. 18. There may be asmany of the latch assemblies 192 mounted on each wall of the respectivedome sections 177 and 178as may be necessary in view of the size'orgeometrical configura tion of the dome section, a nicely balancedrelationship being illustrated in FIG 18 as comprising two of the latchassemblies on each wall, assuming the dome section is to be of generallysquare form in plan.

To enable attachment of the dome 175 to the supporting arms 28 of theshore assembly, bottom frame means such as respective plates 200 may besecured to the lower flanges 182 of the dome section 177 as by means ofscrews 201, for which the flanges are provided with screw holes 202.

For use of the dome 175 in constructing a poured concrete rib grid, aninverted mounting of as much of the respective dome assemblies asnecessasry to provide the depth of ribs to be produced is effected onsuitable base 203 (FIG. 19) which may comprise ground level ofsufficient firmness to support the structure to be built, the bottom ofan excavation, or the like. By way of example, use of the bottom domesection 177 is illustrated. A suitable number of the dome sections isprovided in inverted relation and with the respective adjacent domesections maintained in suitable spaced relation to provide the widths oftapered rib section desired. Simple and convenient spacer and connectingmeans comprise bars 204 (FIGS. 19 and 20) ofa length to span across andextend at their opposite ends sufficiently beyond the inner edges of thedome section flanges 182 to receive the upper end portions of respectiveconnecting pins 205 which have lower inset mounting terminals 207received in respective strap sockets 208 welded onto the inner faces ofthe respective walls 180 similarly as the connecting brace sockets 190.Through this arrangement it is -a simple matter to slip the terminals207 into the sockets 208 and then mount the bars 204 by receiving theupper end portions of the pins'205 in respective pin holes 209providedin the end cent to the sockets 190, and of the same dimensions,

the terminals 189 of the brace bars 188 are adapted to be received inthe sockets 208 with equal facility. This facilitates remove ofthesections 177 after the formed concrete rib structure has set, enablingsemicollapsibly moving the respective wall panels inwardly relative toone another to the extent permitted by shifting the brace bar terminalsat one end of the brace bars from its socket 190 into the adjacentsocket 208. Thereby the dome sections 177 can be handled as a unit forinstallation at another portion of the building site for repetition ofits use in the inverted relationship, without necessitating completedisassembly and then rebuilding of the sections unless to conserve spacefor transportation to another site it may bedesirable to effect completecollapse so that the wall panels can be stacked one on another.

In any form of the invention, after the forming means have been set up,customary procedures involving setting of reinforcing steel, pipes,ducts and the like are effected and then the concrete poured into theforms and permitted to set, whereafter the forms are removed. The systemenables supporting columns to be mounted either in prefabricated form orto be cast in situ together with the poured concrete deck on the forms.

It will be understood that variations and modifications may be effectedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts ofthis invention.

We claim as our invention: 1. Forming system apparatus for pouredconrete structures, comprising:

prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to one another; meansreleasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation; prefabricatedform members releasably mounted on and between said shores;

prefabricated soffits releasably mounted on the shores in gap-closingrelation to said form members and enabling a poured concrete deck onsaid form members and said soffits;

upstanding half-cradles releasably mounted on said shores in cooperativespaced relation to certain of said form members to provide an upwardlyopening recess for forming an edge of the poured concrete deck therein;

soffits releasably mounted in gap-closing relation to said certain formmembers and said half-cradles in the bottom of said recess;

said form members, said soffits, said shores, said halfcradles and saidconnecting means being releasable and removable from one another and thedeck for reuse after the concrete has set;

said half-Cradles comprising supporting frame units with a panelsupported by and between said units;

means for detechably mounting said frame units on respective ones ofsaid shores;

said respective ones of the shores having thereon vertically spacedsupporting collars;

and said means for detachably mounting the. frame units comprising upperand lower attachment 'devices carried by the frame units engaged withinsaid collars, one. of said attachment devices comprising a releasableclamp gripping one of said collars and the other of said devicescomprising a lug extending into the collar associated therewith and saidclamp and said lug thereby cooperating to secure the frame unitsreleasably to the shores.

2. Forming system apparatus for poured concrete structures, comprising:

prefabricatedshores mounted in spaced relation to one another;

means releasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation;

prefabricated form members releasably mounted on and between saidshores;

prefabricated soffits releasably mounted on the shores in gap-closingrelation to said form members and enabling forming a poured concretedeck on said form members and said sofflts;

upstanding halfcradles releasably mounted on said shores in cooperativespaced relation to certain of said form members to provide an upwardlyopening recess for forming an edge of the poured concrete deck therein;

soffits releasably mounted in gap-closing relation to; said certain formmembers and said half-cradles in the bottom of said recess;

said form members, said soffits, said shores, said halfcradles and saidconnecting means being releasable and removable fromone another and thedeck for reuse after the concrete has set;

said half-cradles comprising supporting frame units with a forming panelsupported by and between said units;

means for detachably mounting said frame units on respective ones ofsaid shores;

said frame units having facings providing lateral flanges;

said forming pane] having a marginal backing frame projecting laterallybeyond the edges of the forming panel and engaging in back of saidlateral flanges with said facing and the forming panel togetherpresenting a coplanar forming surface;

and releasable latching means carried by said pane] frame and detachablyengaging with the frame units to secure said forming panel to said frameunits and permitting detachment of the forming panel from the frameunits and movement rearwardly relative to a set poured concretestructure and away from said lateral flanges when disassembling theassociated half-cradle from the concrete structure.

3. Forming system apparatus for poured concrete structures, comprising:

prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to one another;

means releasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation;

prefabricated form members releasably mounted on and between saidshores;

prefabricated soffits releasably mounted on the shores in gap-closingrelation to said form members and enabling forming a poured concretedeck on said form members and said soffits;

upstanding half-cradles releasably mounted on said shores in cooperativespaced relation to certain of said form members to providean upwardlyopening recessfor forming an edge of the poured concrete deck therein;

soffits releasably mounted in gap-closing-relation to said certain formmembers and said half-cradles in the bottom of said recess;

said form members, said soffits, said shores, said halfcradles and saidconnecting means being releasable and removable-from one another and thedeck for reuse after the concretehas set;

said half-cradles comprising supporting frame units with a panelsupported by and between said units;

means for detachably mounting said frame units on respective ones ofsaid shores:

and said frame units comprising upright bars having opposite sidemarginal flanges for attachment of said panel to either of said flangesand another similar panel to the other of the flanges, said bars beingangular along longitudinal lines whereby to accomodate angulardisposition of the panels relative to one another at a corner of thepoured concrete deck. Y

4. Forming system apparatus for poured concrete structures, comprising:

prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to one another;

means releasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation;prefabricated form members comprising domes having upwardly and inwardlysloping sides; said domes and said shores having cooperatively relatedmeans thereon releasably supporting said domes on and between saidshores; prefabricated soffits releasably engaging in gapclosing relationwith the sloping sides of adjacent ones of said domes; means on saidsoffits and on said shores releasably attaching said soffits to theshores independently of said domes; means for releasably supporting thedomes on said shores independently of said soffits; whereby thesupporting means for said domes can be readily separated from saidshores and the domes removed downwardly relative to the soffits and theshores; i I i said soffits being selectively adjustable in width andcomprise assemblies of elongated coextensive overlapping and relativelylaterally adjustable plates; I and means for securing the plates inadjusted soffit width relationship. 5. Forming system apparatus forpoured concrete structures, comprising:

prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to one another;

means releasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation;

prefabricated form members comprising domes having. upwardly andinwardly'sloping sides;

said domes and said shores having cooperatively related means thereonreleasably supporting said domes on and between said shores;

prefabricated soffits releasably engaging in gapclosing relation withthe sloping sides of adjacent ones of said domes;

means on said soffits and on said shores-releasably attaching saidsoffits to the shores independently of said domes;

means for releasably supporting the domes on said shores independentlyof said soffits;

whereby the supporting means for said domes can be readily separatedfrom said shores and the domes removed downwardly relative to thesoffits and the shores;

said means for releasably attaching the soffits comprising respectiveattachment collars on said shores; i

said soffits having attaching bars extending lengthwise thereunder;

and jaw latch assemblies carried by end portions of said bars andreleasably engaging said collars.

6. Forming system apparatus for poured concrete the shores in saidspaced relation;

prefabricated form members comprising domes having upwardly and inwardlysloping sides; said'domes and said shores having cooperatively relatedmeans thereon releasably supporting said domes on and between saidshores; prefabricated soffits releasably engaging in gapclosing relationwith the sloping sides of adjacent ones of said domes; means on saidsoffits and on said shores releasably attaching said soffits to theshores independently of said domes; means for releasably supporting thedomes on said shores independently of said soffits; whereby thesupporting means for said domes can be readily separated from saidshores and the domes removed downwardly relative to the soffits and theshores; said means for releasably attaching the soffits to the shorescomprising respective longitudinally adjustable brace bars; andreleasable securingvmeans on ends of said bars engaging with means onthe shores. 7. Forming system apparatus for poured concrete structures,comprising:

prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to one another; meansreleasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation; prefabricatedform members comprising domes having upwardly and inwardly slopingsides; said domes and said shores having cooperatively related meansthereon releasably supporting said domes on and between said shores;prefabricated soffits releasably engaging in gapones of said domes;

means on said soffits and on said shores releasably attaching saidsoffits to the shores independently of said domes; i

means for releasably supporting the domes on said shores independentlyof said soffits;

whereby the supporting-means for said domes can be readily separatedfrom said shores and the domes removed downwardly relative to thesoffits and the shores;

and said soffits comprising elongated bars having slantedendscooperating with complementary.

slanted ends of other soffits in the assembly.

8. Forming system apparatus for poured concrete structures, comprising:

prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to one another;

means releasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation;

prefabricated form members comprising domes having upwardly and inwardlysloping sides;

7 said domes and said shores having cooperatively re lated means thereonreleasably supporting said domes on and between said shores;

prefabricated soffits releasably engaging in gapclosing relation withthe sloping sides of adjacent ones of said domes;

means on said soffits and on said shores releasably attaching saidsoffits to the shores independently of said domes;

means for releasably supporting the domes on said shores independentlyof said soffits;

closing relation with the sloping sides of adjacent whereby thesupporting means for said domes can be readily separated from saidshores and the domes removed downwardly relative to the soffits and theshores; said soffits Comprising elongated bars having end portionsspaced from one another at opposite sides of vertical axes of theshores; and fill-in soffits mounted on top of said shores and connectedto and between said spaced ends of the elongated soffit bars. 9.Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said soffit bars are disposed inright angular relation to one another and said fillin soffits havingangular arm portions engaging the ends of said bars.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said elongated soffit barsare located in angular relation to one another with four of theelongated bars having ends thereof spaced from one another and the axisof a shore, and said fill-in soffits comprise cross-shaped membershaving respective arms'extending to and engaging with the respectiveends of said elongated soffit bars.

ll. Prefabricated forming system apparatus for ably supporting the domemembers on the shore posts; and

supporting bars mounting the soffits and extending between spaced onesof the shore posts and having releasable clamps engaging retaininglywithin the grooves of the upper of the collars.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, whereinthe upper collars haveaxially opening grooves on axially opposite sides so that each of suchcollars has an upwardly opening groove and a downwardly opening groove,and said clamps comprising jaw clamps engaging in both of the grooves ofthe upper collarsand having manually operable handles for effectingengage ment and release of the clamps relative to the upper collars.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, said clamps each comprising a lowerjaw and an upper jaw, a connecting rod slidable through the lower jawand carrying the upper jaw, a spring normally biasing the jaws apart,and the handle being pivotally mounted on a portion of the rod extendingbelow the lower jaw and having a cam portion bearing against the lowerjaw to draw the upper jaw toward the lowerjaw in clamping relation tothe associated upper shore collar.

14. Apparatus according to claim 11, said means connecting the domemembers to the collars of the shores comprising detachable bracketshaving vertical portions engagingin said grooves of the upper and lowercollars, and means detachably securing the dome members to saidbrackets.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, said brackets having verticalsleeves, said means attaching the dome members to the bracketscomprising downwardly extending legs received in said sleeves, and meansfor vertically adjustably securing said legs in the sleeves.

16. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said attaching means on thedome members comprise bars secured to the undersides of the dome membersand having downwardly extending portions removably engaged with saidbrackets.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, said brackets comprising verticallyextending bars, and attachment hooks on respective opposite ends of thebars detachably engaging within said grooves of the collars.

18. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said means attaching thedome members to said brackets are removable from thedome members wherebythe dome members may be employed in inverted position in aground-supported relation to form a poured concrete grid rib floor base.

19. Forming system apparatus for poured concrete structures, comprising:

prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to one another;

means releasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation;prefabricated form members comprising domes having upwardly and inwardlysloping sides;

said domes and said shores having cooperatively related means thereonreleasably supporting said domes on and between said shores;

prefabricated soffits releasably engaging in gapclosing relation-withthe sloping sides of adjacent ones of said domes; means on said soffitsand on said shores releasably attaching said soffits to the shoresindependently of said domes; means for releasably supporting the domeson said shoresindependently of said soffits; whereby the supportingmeans for said domes can be readily separated from said shores and thedomes removed downwardly relativejto the soffits and the shores; saidsoffits comprising bars located along lines which extend angular to oneanother;

adjacent ends of said bars being spaced from one another and from avertical axis of a shore, said ends having oblique end joining surfaces;

and soffit crosses mounted over the end of the shore and having armsprovided with oblique end joining surfaces complementary to and joinedwith said end joining surfaces of the bars.

20. In prefabricated forming system apparatus for poured concretestructure, comprising form members aligned in a common forming plane,soffits and shores connected together releasably and removably relativeto one another and to concrete structure forme thereon after theconcrete has set;

said shores comprising longitudinally aligned sections;

top sections of the shores extending normal to said forming plane andsupporting said form members and said soffits;

means adjustably connecting said top sections of the shores in tiltedangular relation to lower straight vertical shore sections fortiltedforming disposition of said forming plane; I

1. Forming system apparatus for poured conrete structures, comprising:prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to one another; meansreleasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation; prefabricatedform members releasably mounted on and between said shores;prefabricated soffits releasably mounted on the shores in gapclosingrelation to said form members and enabling a poured concrete deck onsaid form members and said soffits; upstanding half-cradles releasablymounted on said shores in cooperative spaced relation to certain of saidform members to provide an upwardly opening recess for forming an edgeof the poured concrete deck therein; soffits releasably mounted ingap-closing relation to said certain form members and said half-cradlesin the bottom of said recess; said form members, said soffits, saidshores, said half-cradles and said connecting means being releasable andremovable from one another and the deck for reuse after the concrete hasset; said half-Cradles comprising supporting frame units with a panelsupported by and between said units; means for detechably mounting saidframe units on respective ones of said shores; said respective ones ofthe shores having thereon vertically spaced supporting collars; and saidmeans for detachably mounting the frame units comprising upper and lowerattachment devices carried by tHe frame units engaged within saidcollars, one of said attachment devices comprising a releasable clampgripping one of said collars and the other of said devices comprising alug extending into the collar associated therewith and said clamp andsaid lug thereby cooperating to secure the frame units releasably to theshores.
 2. Forming system apparatus for poured concrete structures,comprising: prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to oneanother; means releasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation;prefabricated form members releasably mounted on and between saidshores; prefabricated soffits releasably mounted on the shores ingap-closing relation to said form members and enabling forming a pouredconcrete deck on said form members and said soffits; upstandinghalf-cradles releasably mounted on said shores in cooperative spacedrelation to certain of said form members to provide an upwardly openingrecess for forming an edge of the poured concrete deck therein; soffitsreleasably mounted in gap-closing relation to said certain form membersand said half-cradles in the bottom of said recess; said form members,said soffits, said shores, said half-cradles and said connecting meansbeing releasable and removable from one another and the deck for reuseafter the concrete has set; said half-cradles comprising supportingframe units with a forming panel supported by and between said units;means for detachably mounting said frame units on respective ones ofsaid shores; said frame units having facings providing lateral flanges;said forming panel having a marginal backing frame projecting laterallybeyond the edges of the forming panel and engaging in back of saidlateral flanges with said facing and the forming panel togetherpresenting a coplanar forming surface; and releasable latching meanscarried by said panel frame and detachably engaging with the frame unitsto secure said forming panel to said frame units and permittingdetachment of the forming panel from the frame units and movementrearwardly relative to a set poured concrete structure and away fromsaid lateral flanges when disassembling the associated half-cradle fromthe concrete structure.
 3. Forming system apparatus for poured concretestructures, comprising: prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relationto one another; means releasably connecting the shores in said spacedrelation; prefabricated form members releasably mounted on and betweensaid shores; prefabricated soffits releasably mounted on the shores ingap-closing relation to said form members and enabling forming a pouredconcrete deck on said form members and said soffits; upstandinghalf-cradles releasably mounted on said shores in cooperative spacedrelation to certain of said form members to provide an upwardly openingrecess for forming an edge of the poured concrete deck therein; soffitsreleasably mounted in gap-closing relation to said certain form membersand said half-cradles in the bottom of said recess; said form members,said soffits, said shores, said half-cradles and said connecting meansbeing releasable and removable from one another and the deck for reuseafter the concrete has set; said half-cradles comprising supportingframe units with a panel supported by and between said units; means fordetachably mounting said frame units on respective ones of said shores:and said frame units comprising upright bars having opposite sidemarginal flanges for attachment of said panel to either of said flangesand another similar panel to the other of the flanges, said bars beingangular along longitudinal lines whereby to accomodate angulardisposition of the panels relative to one another at a corner of thepoured concrete deck.
 4. Forming system apparatus for poured concretestructures, comprising: prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relationto one another; means releasably conneCting the shores in said spacedrelation; prefabricated form members comprising domes having upwardlyand inwardly sloping sides; said domes and said shores havingcooperatively related means thereon releasably supporting said domes onand between said shores; prefabricated soffits releasably engaging ingap-closing relation with the sloping sides of adjacent ones of saiddomes; means on said soffits and on said shores releasably attachingsaid soffits to the shores independently of said domes; means forreleasably supporting the domes on said shores independently of saidsoffits; whereby the supporting means for said domes can be readilyseparated from said shores and the domes removed downwardly relative tothe soffits and the shores; said soffits being selectively adjustable inwidth and comprise assemblies of elongated coextensive overlapping andrelatively laterally adjustable plates; and means for securing theplates in adjusted soffit width relationship.
 5. Forming systemapparatus for poured concrete structures, comprising: prefabricatedshores mounted in spaced relation to one another; means releasablyconnecting the shores in said spaced relation; prefabricated formmembers comprising domes having upwardly and inwardly sloping sides;said domes and said shores having cooperatively related means thereonreleasably supporting said domes on and between said shores;prefabricated soffits releasably engaging in gap-closing relation withthe sloping sides of adjacent ones of said domes; means on said soffitsand on said shores releasably attaching said soffits to the shoresindependently of said domes; means for releasably supporting the domeson said shores independently of said soffits; whereby the supportingmeans for said domes can be readily separated from said shores and thedomes removed downwardly relative to the soffits and the shores; saidmeans for releasably attaching the soffits comprising respectiveattachment collars on said shores; said soffits having attaching barsextending lengthwise thereunder; and jaw latch assemblies carried by endportions of said bars and releasably engaging said collars.
 6. Formingsystem apparatus for poured concrete structures, comprising:prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to one another; meansreleasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation; prefabricatedform members comprising domes having upwardly and inwardly slopingsides; said domes and said shores having cooperatively related meansthereon releasably supporting said domes on and between said shores;prefabricated soffits releasably engaging in gap-closing relation withthe sloping sides of adjacent ones of said domes; means on said soffitsand on said shores releasably attaching said soffits to the shoresindependently of said domes; means for releasably supporting the domeson said shores independently of said soffits; whereby the supportingmeans for said domes can be readily separated from said shores and thedomes removed downwardly relative to the soffits and the shores; saidmeans for releasably attaching the soffits to the shores comprisingrespective longitudinally adjustable brace bars; and releasable securingmeans on ends of said bars engaging with means on the shores.
 7. Formingsystem apparatus for poured concrete structures, comprising:prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to one another; meansreleasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation; prefabricatedform members comprising domes having upwardly and inwardly slopingsides; said domes and said shores having cooperatively related meansthereon releasably supporting said domes on and between said shores;prefabricated soffits releasably engaging in gap-closing relation withthe sloping sides of adjacent ones of said domes; means on said soffitsand on said shores releasably attachIng said soffits to the shoresindependently of said domes; means for releasably supporting the domeson said shores independently of said soffits; whereby the supportingmeans for said domes can be readily separated from said shores and thedomes removed downwardly relative to the soffits and the shores; andsaid soffits comprising elongated bars having slanted ends cooperatingwith complementary slanted ends of other soffits in the assembly. 8.Forming system apparatus for poured concrete structures, comprising:prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to one another; meansreleasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation; prefabricatedform members comprising domes having upwardly and inwardly slopingsides; said domes and said shores having cooperatively related meansthereon releasably supporting said domes on and between said shores;prefabricated soffits releasably engaging in gap-closing relation withthe sloping sides of adjacent ones of said domes; means on said soffitsand on said shores releasably attaching said soffits to the shoresindependently of said domes; means for releasably supporting the domeson said shores independently of said soffits; whereby the supportingmeans for said domes can be readily separated from said shores and thedomes removed downwardly relative to the soffits and the shores; saidsoffits comprising elongated bars having end portions spaced from oneanother at opposite sides of vertical axes of the shores; and fill-insoffits mounted on top of said shores and connected to and between saidspaced ends of the elongated soffit bars.
 9. Apparatus according toclaim 8, wherein said soffit bars are disposed in right angular relationto one another and said fillin soffits having angular arm portionsengaging the ends of said bars.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 8,wherein said elongated soffit bars are located in angular relation toone another with four of the elongated bars having ends thereof spacedfrom one another and the axis of a shore, and said fill-in soffitscomprise cross-shaped members having respective arms extending to andengaging with the respective ends of said elongated soffit bars. 11.Prefabricated forming system apparatus for poured concrete deckstructures, comprising: domed form members, soffits between the formmembers and, shores supporting the form members and soffits, and allconnected together releasably and removably from one another and acompleted concrete deck for reuse, including: vertically elongated shoreposts; each shore post having a collar adjacent to its upper end andanother collar adjacent to its lower end and said collars having axiallyopening grooves therein; means removably engaging in the grooves in bothof the collars of the shore posts and thereby removably supporting thedome members on the shore posts; and supporting bars mounting thesoffits and extending between spaced ones of the shore posts and havingreleasable clamps engaging retainingly within the grooves of the upperof the collars.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the uppercollars have axially opening grooves on axially opposite sides so thateach of such collars has an upwardly opening groove and a downwardlyopening groove, and said clamps comprising jaw clamps engaging in bothof the grooves of the upper collars and having manually operable handlesfor effecting engagement and release of the clamps relative to the uppercollars.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, said clamps eachcomprising a lower jaw and an upper jaw, a connecting rod slidablethrough the lower jaw and carrying the upper jaw, a spring normallybiasing the jaws apart, and the handle being pivotally mounted on aportion of the rod extending below the lower jaw and having a camportion bearing against the lower jaw to draw the upper jaw toward thelower jaw in clamping relation to the associated upper shore collar. 14.Apparatus according to claim 11, said means connecting the dome membersto the collars of the shores comprising detachable brackets havingvertical portions engaging in said grooves of the upper and lowercollars, and means detachably securing the dome members to saidbrackets.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, said brackets havingvertical sleeves, said means attaching the dome members to the bracketscomprising downwardly extending legs received in said sleeves, and meansfor vertically adjustably securing said legs in the sleeves. 16.Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said attaching means on thedome members comprise bars secured to the undersides of the dome membersand having downwardly extending portions removably engaged with saidbrackets.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 16, said brackets comprisingvertically extending bars, and attachment hooks on respective oppositeends of the bars detachably engaging within said grooves of the collars.18. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said means attaching thedome members to said brackets are removable from the dome memberswhereby the dome members may be employed in inverted position in aground-supported relation to form a poured concrete grid rib floor base.19. Forming system apparatus for poured concrete structures, comprising:prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to one another; meansreleasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation; prefabricatedform members comprising domes having upwardly and inwardly slopingsides; said domes and said shores having cooperatively related meansthereon releasably supporting said domes on and between said shores;prefabricated soffits releasably engaging in gap-closing relation withthe sloping sides of adjacent ones of said domes; means on said soffitsand on said shores releasably attaching said soffits to the shoresindependently of said domes; means for releasably supporting the domeson said shores independently of said soffits; whereby the supportingmeans for said domes can be readily separated from said shores and thedomes removed downwardly relative to the soffits and the shores; saidsoffits comprising bars located along lines which extend angular to oneanother; adjacent ends of said bars being spaced from one another andfrom a vertical axis of a shore, said ends having oblique end joiningsurfaces; and soffit crosses mounted over the end of the shore andhaving arms provided with oblique end joining surfaces complementary toand joined with said end joining surfaces of the bars.
 20. Inprefabricated forming system apparatus for poured concrete structure,comprising form members aligned in a common forming plane, soffits andshores connected together releasably and removably relative to oneanother and to concrete structure formed thereon after the concrete hasset; said shores comprising longitudinally aligned sections; topsections of the shores extending normal to said forming plane andsupporting said form members and said soffits; means adjustablyconnecting said top sections of the shores in tilted angular relation tolower straight vertical shore sections for tilted forming disposition ofsaid forming plane; and said lower forming sections being of graduatedlength to facilitate the tilted forming disposition of said formingplane.
 21. Forming system apparatus for poured concrete structures,comprising: prefabricated shores mounted in spaced relation to oneanother; means releasably connecting the shores in said spaced relation;prefabricated form members having downwardly extending attachmend legs;vertically extending brackets having upwardly opening sockets; saidforming member legs telescopically received in said sockets; meansreleasably securing said brackets on said shores under said form membersand with the upper ends of the brackets spaced below a predeterminedforming height of said form membErs to permit dropping of the formmembers from the forming height by downward telescoping of said legsinto the sockets and then releasing the brackets and thereby the formmembers from the shores; and releasable means for retaining the formingmember legs in vertically adjusted relation in said sockets. 22.Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said shores have verticallyspaced collars with upwardly opening annular grooves therein, saidbrackets having respective downwardly opening hooks removably engagingon said collars and extending into said grooves and thereby facilitatingremovability of the brackets and dome members relative to said shores.23. Prefabricated forming system apparatus for poured concrete deckstructures, comprising form members, soffits, and vertical shoressupporting the form members and soffits and all connected togetherreleasably and removably relative to one another and to a formed deckfor reuse after the concrete has set, comprising: shore posts;vertically spaced collars on each of the shore posts, and said collarshaving upwardly and downwardly opening annular grooves in their axiallyfacing sides; means supporting the dome members and the soffits on upperportions of the shore posts; and brace bars extending to and between theupper and lower collars of spaced shore posts and having on the oppositeends of the brace bars respective jaw clamps engaging said collarswithin said grooves and including latch devices for opening and closingthe clamp jaws manually.
 24. Apparatus according to claim 23, whereinsaid brace bars comprise upper and lower horizontal brace bars, andmeans mounting said soffits on the upper of said brace bars. 25.Apparatus according to claim 23, said brace bars comprisingtelescopically related and longitudinally adjustable elements, one ofsaid elements including micrometer longitudinal adjustment means. 26.Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said shore posts haverespective bell-shaped lower ends, and shore extension members receivedin said bell-shaped lower ends.
 27. Apparatus according to claim 26,said extensions having oppositely grooved collars thereon, and bracebars extending between said extension collars and having releasable jawclamps engaging in the grooves of said extension collars.
 28. Apparatusaccording to claim 27, said extensions having lower end adjustablejacks.
 29. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said shore postshave upwardly opening sockets, and said soffits include members havingdownwardly extending attachment stems engaged in said sockets. 30.Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said means for tiltablyadjusting include a tilt plate pivoted on one of said shore sections andfixedly secured to the other of said shore sections, and means foradjustably securing the tilt plate relative to the shore section onwhich it is pivoted.
 31. Apparatus according to claim 30, wherein saidplate is of generally sector shape and has a plurality of aperturestherein, said one of said shore sections having a slot within which saidplate is pivotally movable, and pin means extending across said slot andthrough a selected one of said apertures.
 32. Forming system apparatusfor poured concrete structures, comprising: prefabricated shores mountedin spaced relation to one another; means releasably connecting theshores in said spaced relation; prefabricated form members releasablymounted on and between said shores; prefabricated soffits releasablymounted on the shores in gap-closing relation to said form members andenabling forming a poured concrete deck on said form members and saidsoffits; means for tiltably adjusting said shores for tilted forming ofthe deck comprising relatively tiltable shore portions; a tilt platepivoted on one of said shore portions and fixedly secured to the otherof said shore portions; and means for adjustably securing the tilt platerelative to the shore poRtion on which it is pivoted; said form members,said soffits, said shores and said connecting means being releasable andremovable from one another and the deck for reuse after the concrete hasset.
 33. Apparatus according to claim 32, including brace membersextending to and between said shore portions, and means releasablysecuring the braces to said shore portions.
 34. Apparatus according toclaim 32, at least certain of said shore portions being of graduatedlengths.
 35. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of said frameunits includes a frame bar having a vertical flange, said panel backframe having side marginal flanges, and said latching means comprisinglocking bolts and associated retaining clamps and operative to securesaid frame bar flanges and panel marginal flanges releasably inassembly.